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“It’s still in the works,” Maualuga said. “Just trying to wait on my options. There’s only one number available — 72. I wouldn’t mind wearing 72. I’m waiting on someone to lower the price a little bit. We’ll see if that turns out in my favor or not.”

Linebacker Brandon Watts, who seems unlikely to make the 53-man roster and is currently injured, wears 58.

“I’m not saying, 58, but I would love to get that number,” Maualuga said with a smile. “It’s been eight good years with that number, including college. So we’ll see what he wants.”

Maualuga said the price Jay Cutler paid to Brandon Doughty for number 6 has caused a problematic comp.

“You know they say, ‘Well, Cutler set the mark high.’ I’m like, ‘Well I’m not Cutler,'” Maualuga said. “If we got paid the same things would be easier. We’ll see. I think everything will work itself out. If not whatever number I get I’ll do my best to represent that number as best I can.”

Maualuga fully intends to play on Thursday, a notion coach Adam Gase did not dismiss.

“I just don’t want to show up to the first game and just get thrown in there or whatnot,” Maualuga said. “The goal is to get some reps in Minnesota and see how things go from there. At the end of the day, it’s not my decision. I’m going to leave it up to coach and see what he decides. By then, I think physically, mentally, I’ll be ready. It’s been the same scheme that they ran in Cincinnati. Some different words here and there. But for the most part, I don’t think it’s going to be a drop-off for me.”

Maulauga said he participated in positional drills and is working his way back into team drills.

“I have all the confidence in the world,” Maualuga said. “(Head Strength and conditioning coach) Dave Puloka is doing a great job of getting me there. Like I said, when I first got here, you can never get yourself prepared for the Miami heat unless you live in Miami. Cincinnati is hot and humid, but the Miami heat is something different for me. I’m getting there, slowly but surely. Things will work out.”